Maldives which program best to use to spend points
Oct 7, 2017 | 6:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 8
Maldives which program best to use to spend points
Hi,
I am looking to book a holiday to the Maldives for this December 2017.
I am a member of nearly all the hotel and flight programs and have accrued miles with most, max being 160000 with BA. however when it comes to spending miles I am unsure which program to consolidate my miles into to get the best deal for the Maldives. We wish to fly business class and stay 5star.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your anticipated help
I am looking to book a holiday to the Maldives for this December 2017.
I am a member of nearly all the hotel and flight programs and have accrued miles with most, max being 160000 with BA. however when it comes to spending miles I am unsure which program to consolidate my miles into to get the best deal for the Maldives. We wish to fly business class and stay 5star.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your anticipated help
Oct 7, 2017 | 8:18 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: DCA or IAD (originally DUB)
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum/Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,657
Hi,
I am looking to book a holiday to the Maldives for this December 2017.
I am a member of nearly all the hotel and flight programs and have accrued miles with most, max being 160000 with BA. however when it comes to spending miles I am unsure which program to consolidate my miles into to get the best deal for the Maldives. We wish to fly business class and stay 5star.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your anticipated help
I am looking to book a holiday to the Maldives for this December 2017.
I am a member of nearly all the hotel and flight programs and have accrued miles with most, max being 160000 with BA. however when it comes to spending miles I am unsure which program to consolidate my miles into to get the best deal for the Maldives. We wish to fly business class and stay 5star.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your anticipated help
You want to book a premium spot at premium holiday time ... and you are looking three months in advance.
Basically, you haven't a prayer!
Suggest you plan ahead for 2018.
Oct 7, 2017 | 9:07 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,777
As UAPremExecFlyer said you're asking for a lot and rather far behind. Award ticket generally open up ~330 days before travel so you're rather late to the game. You also say "we" so I'm assuming you want to get more than 1 premium class ticket to a high demand area during peak time which only compounds the idea even further.
You don't state where you wish to start from but, assuming the US, your more realistic bet is to use the miles to get to a gateway to the Maldives and then buy a revenue ticket that is reasonable.
You don't state where you wish to start from but, assuming the US, your more realistic bet is to use the miles to get to a gateway to the Maldives and then buy a revenue ticket that is reasonable.
Oct 7, 2017 | 9:24 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 8
Oct 7, 2017 | 9:28 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 8
As UAPremExecFlyer said you're asking for a lot and rather far behind. Award ticket generally open up ~330 days before travel so you're rather late to the game. You also say "we" so I'm assuming you want to get more than 1 premium class ticket to a high demand area during peak time which only compounds the idea even further.
You don't state where you wish to start from but, assuming the US, your more realistic bet is to use the miles to get to a gateway to the Maldives and then buy a revenue ticket that is reasonable.
You don't state where you wish to start from but, assuming the US, your more realistic bet is to use the miles to get to a gateway to the Maldives and then buy a revenue ticket that is reasonable.
Thank you for your advice. I am UK based. Yes its me and my partner and we were just wondering which of my hotel or airline loyalty scheme to spend points to get the best deal. Am happy to pay part miles part cash no problem, just wasn't sure how best to do it
Oct 7, 2017 | 9:44 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 8
Oct 7, 2017 | 9:48 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,777
Even with the split cash-miles concept you're a bit behind. Award flights are all about availability. When dealing with trying to travel soon what you find today most likely won't be there tomorrow or even 5 hours from now.
At this point it's not about what's the best deal but rather about what is available. Be sure to search for two and also just one ticket for award redemption as getting one award would help keep costs down.
Hotels can work a bit differently as some have unlimited award rooms at higher rates and some have limited availability like airlines.
You could use an award booking service in hopes of them finding what fits your needs.
Award booking services - a list and some reviews
At this point it's not about what's the best deal but rather about what is available. Be sure to search for two and also just one ticket for award redemption as getting one award would help keep costs down.
Hotels can work a bit differently as some have unlimited award rooms at higher rates and some have limited availability like airlines.
You could use an award booking service in hopes of them finding what fits your needs.
Award booking services - a list and some reviews
Oct 7, 2017 | 10:26 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 8
Even with the split cash-miles concept you're a bit behind. Award flights are all about availability. When dealing with trying to travel soon what you find today most likely won't be there tomorrow or even 5 hours from now.
At this point it's not about what's the best deal but rather about what is available. Be sure to search for two and also just one ticket for award redemption as getting one award would help keep costs down.
Hotels can work a bit differently as some have unlimited award rooms at higher rates and some have limited availability like airlines.
You could use an award booking service in hopes of them finding what fits your needs.
At this point it's not about what's the best deal but rather about what is available. Be sure to search for two and also just one ticket for award redemption as getting one award would help keep costs down.
Hotels can work a bit differently as some have unlimited award rooms at higher rates and some have limited availability like airlines.
You could use an award booking service in hopes of them finding what fits your needs.
Last edited by SanDiego1K; Oct 7, 2017 at 10:27 am Reason: fixed ubb code for ease in reading
Oct 7, 2017 | 10:49 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NYC, MD, LA
Programs: Delta-DM, United, Hilton-DM, SPG-PLTM
Posts: 462
As most above have noted your probably too late to find a great deal to the Maldives.
I booked my trip in February and we are going next month. I was able to book a business class ticket for all segments for 165K points pp. We are staying at the Conrad Maldives (Hilton) and were able to get a 5 night stay for about 75K pts per night. this is for the standard room, but you can upgrade after that for a reasonable price (depending on your definition of reasonable.
I had also looked at the Sheraton - which had good point redemption, but we want to go to the underwater restaurant - and only guests of the Conrad are permitted.
Best of luck in your efforts
I booked my trip in February and we are going next month. I was able to book a business class ticket for all segments for 165K points pp. We are staying at the Conrad Maldives (Hilton) and were able to get a 5 night stay for about 75K pts per night. this is for the standard room, but you can upgrade after that for a reasonable price (depending on your definition of reasonable.
I had also looked at the Sheraton - which had good point redemption, but we want to go to the underwater restaurant - and only guests of the Conrad are permitted.
Best of luck in your efforts
Oct 7, 2017 | 12:11 pm
#10
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT EXP; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
One problem of having a few points or miles in many programmes is by diluting the points you never reach levels required for buying two Business intercontinental travelers. 160,000 Avios doesn't sound like very many for me for your proposed trip to Maldives, frankly.
One thing you want to be aware of is your BA Avios. If you use BA for awards, you'll have to pay onerous "carrier imposed surcharges" that on longhaul trips can add up to lots of miles and several hundred quid. See this thread in the BAEC forum: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...7-edition.html.
Others have already stated you're looking for high demand / low availability seats only 90 days out, when many airlines initially release award inventory 331 or more days out. Good luck.
One thing you want to be aware of is your BA Avios. If you use BA for awards, you'll have to pay onerous "carrier imposed surcharges" that on longhaul trips can add up to lots of miles and several hundred quid. See this thread in the BAEC forum: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...7-edition.html.
Others have already stated you're looking for high demand / low availability seats only 90 days out, when many airlines initially release award inventory 331 or more days out. Good luck.
Oct 7, 2017 | 12:50 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,917
Note awardace and other sites like this are a guide only. Check the ffp web site for detailed award rules and availability.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velana...tional_Airport
Oct 9, 2017 | 6:00 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 8
As most above have noted your probably too late to find a great deal to the Maldives.
I booked my trip in February and we are going next month. I was able to book a business class ticket for all segments for 165K points pp. We are staying at the Conrad Maldives (Hilton) and were able to get a 5 night stay for about 75K pts per night. this is for the standard room, but you can upgrade after that for a reasonable price (depending on your definition of reasonable.
I had also looked at the Sheraton - which had good point redemption, but we want to go to the underwater restaurant - and only guests of the Conrad are permitted.
Best of luck in your efforts
I booked my trip in February and we are going next month. I was able to book a business class ticket for all segments for 165K points pp. We are staying at the Conrad Maldives (Hilton) and were able to get a 5 night stay for about 75K pts per night. this is for the standard room, but you can upgrade after that for a reasonable price (depending on your definition of reasonable.
I had also looked at the Sheraton - which had good point redemption, but we want to go to the underwater restaurant - and only guests of the Conrad are permitted.
Best of luck in your efforts
Oct 9, 2017 | 6:04 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 8
One problem of having a few points or miles in many programmes is by diluting the points you never reach levels required for buying two Business intercontinental travelers. 160,000 Avios doesn't sound like very many for me for your proposed trip to Maldives, frankly.
One thing you want to be aware of is your BA Avios. If you use BA for awards, you'll have to pay onerous "carrier imposed surcharges" that on longhaul trips can add up to lots of miles and several hundred quid. See this thread in the BAEC forum: ][/U].
Others have already stated you're looking for high demand / low availability seats only 90 days out, when many airlines initially release award inventory 331 or more days out. Good luck.
One thing you want to be aware of is your BA Avios. If you use BA for awards, you'll have to pay onerous "carrier imposed surcharges" that on longhaul trips can add up to lots of miles and several hundred quid. See this thread in the BAEC forum: ][/U].
Others have already stated you're looking for high demand / low availability seats only 90 days out, when many airlines initially release award inventory 331 or more days out. Good luck.
Thanks for the link I'll take a look x
Oct 9, 2017 | 6:08 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 8
[QUOTE=Mwenenzi;28904780]Yes indeed. Awardace shows 168,000 BA aviois for a LHR-MLE return (plus a lot of cash).
Note awardace and other sites like this are a guide only. Check the ffp web site for detailed award rules and availability.
Thanks Mwenenzi for the links, will check them out. I've now consolidated some other reward programs so now have almost 200000 avios points (still not enough for full redemption I know) x
Note awardace and other sites like this are a guide only. Check the ffp web site for detailed award rules and availability.
Thanks Mwenenzi for the links, will check them out. I've now consolidated some other reward programs so now have almost 200000 avios points (still not enough for full redemption I know) x